We are so defined. That is our universal and ineffable truth to the extent that if we weren't defined, we would no longer exist. Labels and judgements swirl around our every movement, waiting to strike us into the dirt and laugh. We are so defined.

 

"Son, you just regained consciousness from a staggering injury. I had to operate six times on you and fix many many components just to keep you alive. At least stay for a little while, I have so much to tell you."

 

"No you don't... I know all about what happened. You are no better than Wily for what I am."

 

"For what you are? Son, how could you even think that you are anything less than the absolute embodiement of perfection?"

 

"Perfection? I can't beleive you are trying to placate me with lies and compliments. I am done with you, you are nothing to me."

 

"But..." Barely an audible whisper echoes throughout the room, "You are everything to me... Son."

 

"Don't you dare call me that! You are no Father to me, you were never there! You were aways too busy in the lab or saving the world! You never had time for me and what I wanted..."

 

"What would you have done? You are the only person in the world who understands the work that could end starvation. You are the only person who could build and maintain machines that literally end hunger altogether. You are the only one who can create things that can do every menial task to free up everyone's minds... to make sure that labor is for recreation and not of requirement. You have the ability to make so much good in the world, but the price is time spent with your son... What would you have done?"

 

"I would have spent time with my son."

 

"Then what if your partner stole your life's work and threatened to destroy the world, starting with your son? Would you protect him, even if it meant that you couldn't spend time with him? I've made many mistakes Son, I'm trying to make it right. When this is all over, we will be together again, but you have already seen what Wily can do. And you have only seen a small portion of his activities. There is much I have to show you. Please Son, let's end this and start fresh." Light extends his arm to Rock, a slight gesture of freindship.

 

Seconds fall like eternity.

 

Rock reaches out and grasps it firmly, "I'll never forget, but maybe we can make this alright again."

 

A weak smile crosses Lights face.

 

"Now, where is Dr.Wily?"

Darkness surrounds...

 

We are the inky night, the pressures around, the suffocating blackness. Drowning in a sea of the charcoal essence.

 

Flash.

 

A boy walks into the kitchen from the back door, he already knows his parents have been called. But his father doesn't care, he never cares. His mother is waiting for him, cooking dinner already. She cooks when she is stressed.

 

"Why did you do it this time, Rock?" No hello, straight to buisiness.

 

"If I didn't step in he would have killed Johnny. I had--"

 

"You should have gone to your teachers. You can't take justice into your own hands, there are rules for a reason. And if you see a rule being broken you have to tell people who can take care of it, it isn't your job to discipline."

 

"Mom, I HAD to." Tears welled in his eyes, she just didn't understand. He had to be as strong as the robots his dad made, he had to protect the others like his dad's robots did.

 

"Honey, you aren't a robot. You are a boy, something so much better. You have to act like one. Please, no more fighting. For me." She looked directly into his eyes, searching for lies, he made the promise many times before. Maybe this time she could catch it.

 

"I promise Mom," maybe he isn't lying," next time I will go find an adult."

 

She holds his gaze a few moments more, then breaks away. His Father is late, again, which means he won't be back until the day is almost done.

 

Everything fades... we are the darkness. We are the creatures of the night.

 

Flash.

 

"He looks just like me dad."

 

"I know son, I haven't been spending alot of time with you, so I thought if I built something that loked like you, it would remind me to come see you."

 

"Or you just made a replacement because I am not strong enough. Or because you want to get rid of me because I fight too much."

 

"Son, you know I would never replace you. Besides, he is leaving to go on a special mission for me. So I am going to be spending alot more time at home with you and Mom."

 

"You always say that dad and it never happens, you just keep working. You always build new things and I can't help. I am just not good enough."

 

"Son, you--"

 

"Sir, I am so sorry but the masters have gone berserk, over a thousand people are dead. We need you now."

 

"We will talk later..."

 

Darkness once more. We didn't talk later. It wasn't until months later when Father and Son would meet again, and it was far too late. Father had forgotten the conversation, and as Son left with his mother, they lost it all. It isn't until we lose everything that we see what we have.

 

Flash.

 

"You have to come home and see your son, you can't keep doing this to him. You break his heart every time you break a promise, and then he doesn't care when he breaks hs word to me."

 

"Honey, they NEED me. If I am no there then MegaMan will lose, he isn't advanced enough to take on Wily without my guidance. If he loses then not even the army can fight the Masters."

 

"But they already are fighting the regular robots just fine, all we need is more time."

 

"That is what MegaMan is doing, he can take out a conitngent of robots, then he Master that controls them in less time then it takes for the army to take down half the size of that army. He is our only hope, I only sleep because I need it."

 

"Then sleep at the lab if it's so damned important. If it is more important then me and your son, then go."

 

She doesn't understand. I have to protect the world from Wily.

 

Everything fades.

 

 

A small boy, one of at least ten years, although his eyes speak of the horrors not even adults should see, opens his eyes and sits up.

 

"Where is Wily?"

 

...